GALEN UNIVERSITY
Belize, often called "Mother Nature's best kept secret," is a tropical paradise. It is the only English speaking country in Central America. It is a stable democracy of about a quarter of a million people. Belize borders Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to the north, Guatamala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.
Along the 300 miles of Caribbean coastline lays the second longest barrier reef in the world. Belize is a country of many caves (small islands), inland tropical forests, pristine rivers, and ancient Maya temples and sacred caves. The rich culture of Belize reflects the diversity of the peoples who call Belize home: Maya, Creole, European, Garifuna, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese and Mennonite.
Galen University is two hours from from the coast, in the beautiful Mayan highlands of the Cavo Distrct. The campus is six miles from the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, the largest municipality in the Cavo District with a population of about 14,000.
Academic Program Highlights
Feel you need to get in touch with nature? Interested in sustainable development? Want to have firsthand experience when learning about a new culture? Then this semester abroad program in Belize is for you! Build an exciting course load from such courses as Introduction to Sustainable Development, Cultural Anthropology, Social Issues in a Developing Country, Plants and Society: Introduction to Botany, Caribbean Literature or Introduction to Travel and Tourism.
Study at our lush tropical campus for a summer, semester or a year. Our exciting learning environment will change and support you to do your best and ensure you always excel, in learning and life. Highlights include:
Lush tropical campus
- Mayan ruins and cities
- Jungle: canoeing, hiking, bird watching
- 90 minutes from the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world
- Bilingual community: Opportunity to practice Spanish
- International faculty and student body
- Internet access
- Students are hosued in a locally-owned family run resort, double occupancy
Student Life
Belize is a country of adventure and activity. When your studies permit, you can choose from an amazing number of activities, such as:
- Diving or snorkeling alongthe spectacular barrier reef
- Canoeing, kayaking or tubing on the rivers or through the caves
- Climbing ancient Mayan temples and explore the ruins
- Trekking through tropicla rain forests
- Exploring caves filled with stalagmites, stalagtites, and Mayan artifacts
- Learning about the local fauna at the Belize zoo
- Visiting wildlife reserves such as the only Jaguar sanctuary in the world, the endagered Manatees, the Tapirs in thier natural habitat, the Primate sanctuary where you can observe howler and spider monkeys.
- Swimming under the waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge
- Enjoying the magic of the Belize Botanical Gardens or Godoy's Orchid Garden
- Seeing dozens oftypes of butterflies at the Tropical Wings butterfly house, or Chaa Creek Blue Morpho Butterfly Breeding Centre
- Pampering yourself at one of the many spas and resorts which range from
budget to exclusive